A Malaysian foundation called BoPiMaFo has argued that Sabah and Sarawak should retain all carbon revenue generated from their forests and natural resources, not the 70% recently proposed by Sarawak's Premier. The group says these resources belong to the states, so revenue from carbon taxes should start from 100% state ownership, with any federal share negotiated later. The Premier had suggested 70% of carbon tax revenue be returned to the two Borneo states in recognition of their role as Malaysia's primary carbon sinks. BoPiMaFo's president Daniel John Jambun said negotiating from 70% could result in a lower final share, while starting from 100% would leave room for a fair outcome like 95% retained by the states. The foundation wants this principle applied not just to carbon revenue but to all natural resource revenues, citing constitutional federalism. The debate highlights tensions over how Malaysia's carbon resources are valued and who benefits from climate finance tied to forest conservation.
